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Gene Drives for plants: ‘gamete killers’
New technique for plant genome manipulation under environmental conditions
Researchers in the US and China have succeeded for the first time in developing so-called ‘gene drives’ for plants. This new technique for genetic engineering can be used to manipulate plants directly in the environment instead of the laboratory. One goal of using the new techniques is to eliminate ‘weeds’. Others purposes could be the…
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NGTs: New challenges for risk assessment
First comprehensive overview of NGT applications in bacteria, algae and animals used in food production
A recent study published by scientists from Austria and by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation provides a first comprehensive overview of new genetic engineering (NGT) applications in bacteria, algae and animals used for food production. It shows that the number of NGT organisms intended for commercialization is much higher than was previously assumed.…
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Discussion about field trials with genetically engineered plants in the EU
According to media reports, a field trial in Italy with rice obtained from new genetic engineering (NGTs) was damaged intentionally. Currently it seems unclear who is responsible for this activity, it is also not known why it happened. Some social media users have used the incident as an opportunity to discredit people and organisations opposing…